Virginia P. (virginiajeanne) reviewed C. S. Lewis - A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet on + 207 more book reviews
This is the biography of C.S. Lewis, published for the 50th anniversary of this death in 1963. C.S. Lewis was a professor and an author of popular books such as the Narnia series.
Wow, there was a lot of information in this book, which is to be expected in a book about a person's life. While it was somewhat interesting, there are so many places, dates and people mentioned that at times it got tedious to read. Certain parts seemed repetitive, such as Lewis' conversion to Christianity, and the footnotes in the back are extensive. Other readers might find all the information fascinating, but I thought the book was just okay.
Wow, there was a lot of information in this book, which is to be expected in a book about a person's life. While it was somewhat interesting, there are so many places, dates and people mentioned that at times it got tedious to read. Certain parts seemed repetitive, such as Lewis' conversion to Christianity, and the footnotes in the back are extensive. Other readers might find all the information fascinating, but I thought the book was just okay.
Amanda -
Readable, but not gripping
I was concerned that this biography of Lewis would be too technical and border on unintelligible for the average reader. I was wrong, but neither is it a gripping biography (few are). The book methodically covers Lewis' life in detail, but unfortunately McGrath lacks Lewis' knack for being a master story-teller. A good resource for Lewis' life, but nothing extraordinary in the telling thereof.
I was concerned that this biography of Lewis would be too technical and border on unintelligible for the average reader. I was wrong, but neither is it a gripping biography (few are). The book methodically covers Lewis' life in detail, but unfortunately McGrath lacks Lewis' knack for being a master story-teller. A good resource for Lewis' life, but nothing extraordinary in the telling thereof.
